Customizable Hang Angle Golf Clubs, Systems, and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of customizable hang angle golf clubs and related mechanisms are presented herein. Other examples, systems, and related methods are also disclosed herein.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No.13/648,927, filed on Oct. 10, 2012, the entire contents of which arefully incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sports equipment, andrelates, more particularly, to customizable hang angle golf clubs,systems, and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Several sports, like golf, require equipment with features that can beselected or custom-fit to an individual's characteristics orpreferences. For example, the recommended club shaft and/or club headmay vary based on the individual's characteristics, such as skill, ageor height. Once assembled, however, golf clubs normally have fixed,unchangeable characteristics. Accordingly, when determining suitableequipment for the individual, an unnecessarily large number of golfclubs must be available to test different combinations of, for example,club shafts and club heads. Such shortcomings create problems withrespect to predicting and maintaining needed quantities of golf clubcomponents. Considering the above, further developments with respect tocustomizable golf clubs, systems, and related methods will ameliorateand/or address such shortcomings of current golf club technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood from a reading of thefollowing detailed description of examples of embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a first golf club comprising a firstgolf club head and a first golf club shaft having a first shaft bend.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a second golf club comprising the firstgolf club head and the first golf club shaft having a second shaft bend.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a third golf club comprising the firstgolf club head and the first golf club shaft having a third shaft bend.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the first golf club of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the second golf club of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the third golf club of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the first golf club of FIGS. 1 and 4.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the second golf club of FIGS. 2 and5.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of the third golf club of FIGS. 3 and 6.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method which can be used toprovide, form, and/or manufacture a golf club in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elementsin the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacturedescribed herein are, for example, capable of operation in otherorientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements, mechanically or otherwise. Coupling (whether mechanical orotherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent orsemi-permanent or only for an instant.

The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near theword “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. inquestion is or is not removable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some examples, a golf club can comprise a club head and a shaft. Theclub head can comprise a heel portion, a toe portion, a hosel, astrikeface comprising a strikeface centerpoint, and a club headhorizontal plane extending through the strikeface centerpoint. The shaftcan be coupled to the hosel and can comprise a shaft lower portioncomprising a shaft hosel end, and a shaft upper portion comprising ashaft grip end. An effective shaft axis can extend along a centerline ofthe shaft upper portion. The shaft can be configurable to accept andretain a shaft bend comprising any one of: (1) a first bendcorresponding to a straight stroke swing style, (2) a second bendcorresponding to a slight arc swing style, or (3) a third bendcorresponding to a strong arc swing style. The shaft bend can belocatable, along a length of the shaft, between the shaft upper portionand the shaft lower portion. The shaft bend can comprises a shaft bendheight above the club head horizontal plane. The club head horizontalplane can be at least one of substantially perpendicular to a verticalcomponent of the effective shaft axis, or substantially parallel to aground plane when the club head is at an address position.

In the same or other examples, a golf club system can comprise a firstclub head and a first shaft for a first golf club, and a second clubhead and a second shaft for a second golf club. The first club head cancomprise a first hosel, a first strikeface with a first strikefacecenterpoint, a first club head horizontal plane through the firststrikeface centerpoint. The first shaft can comprise a first shaft bendlocated at a first bend height above the first club head horizontalplane. The second club head can comprise a second hosel, a secondstrikeface with a second strikeface centerpoint, and a second club headhorizontal plane through the second strikeface centerpoint. The secondshaft can comprise a second shaft bend located at a second bend heightabove the second club head horizontal plane. The first and second clubheads can be substantially equal to each other. The first and secondshaft bend heights can be different from each other. The first andsecond shafts can be substantially equal to each other, other than withrespect to the first and second bend heights. The first shaft bend canbe configured to impart a first hang angle to the first golf club, thefirst hang angle comprising a first one of a face-balanced hang angle, amid-hang angle, or a toe-down hang angle. The second shaft bend isconfigured to impart a second hang angle to the second golf club, thesecond hang angle being different than the first hang angle andcomprising a second one of the face-balanced hang angle, the mid-hangangle, or the toe-down hang angle.

In some implementations, a method for providing a golf club can compriseproviding a shaft comprising a shaft length and configured to be coupledto a hosel of a club head, and imparting a shaft bend at a target shaftbend height along the shaft length. The target shaft bend height cancorrespond to a target swing style comprising one of a straight strokeswing style, a slight arc swing style, or a strong arc swing style. Thetarget shaft bend height can be measured at the shaft bend and relativeto a club head horizontal plane. The club head horizontal plane can passthrough a strikeface centerpoint of the club head and can be at leastone of substantially perpendicular to a vertical component of aneffective shaft axis defined by the shaft, substantially parallel to aground plane when the club head is at an address position.

Other examples and embodiments are further disclosed herein. Suchexamples and embodiments may be found in the figures, in the claims,and/or in the present description.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of golf club 1000comprising golf club head 1100 and golf club shaft 1200 coupled to clubhead 1100 via hosel 1110 of golf club head 1100. FIG. 2 illustrates atop view of golf club 2000 comprising golf club head 1100 and golf clubshaft 1200. FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of golf club 3000 comprisinggolf club head 1100 and golf club shaft 1200. Although hosel 1110comprises a cavity or bore internal to club head 1100, there can beother embodiments with hosels that can be at least partially external.In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, each of golf clubs 1000, 2000, and 3000comprises a golf club head 1100 and a golf club shaft 1200. For example,golf club heads 1100 of golf clubs 1000, 2000, and 3000 can be of thesame model and/or fabricated substantially the same as each other withinclub head manufacturing tolerances. Similarly, golf club shafts 1200 ofgolf clubs 1000, 2000, and 3000 can be of the same model and/orfabricated substantially equal to each other within shaft manufacturingtolerances. Nevertheless, golf clubs 1000, 2000, and 3000 differstructurally from each other with respect to the shaft bend impartedonto their respective golf club shafts 1200. For example, shaft 1200 ofgolf club head 1000 comprises shaft bend 100, shaft 1200 of golf clubhead 2000 comprises shaft bend 200, and shaft 1200 of golf club head3000 comprises shaft bend 300, where shaft bends 100, 200, and 300 aredifferent from each other.

FIGS. 1-3 show golf clubs 1000, 2000, and 3000, respectively, inequilibrium relative to horizontal axis 1900. As a result of thedifferences between shaft bends 100, 200, and 300, each of golf clubs1000, 2000, and 3000 exhibits different hang angles relative tohorizontal axis 1900. In some examples, to measure the hang angle of agolf club, the golf club can be set to equilibrium such that its shaftis balanced along a horizontal plane, and such that its shaft can freelyrotate about its shaft longitudinal axis as the center of gravity of thegolf club's club head aligns relative to gravity. The hang angle canthen be measured between the horizontal plane and the strike face of thegolf club. Thus, golf club 1000 in FIG. 1 comprises hang angle 1800between its strikeface 1150 and horizontal axis 1900, where hang angle1800 comprises a face balanced hang angle resulting from shaft bend 100.Golf club 2000 in FIG. 2 comprises hang angle 2800 between itsstrikeface 1150 and horizontal axis 1900, where hang angle 2800comprises a mid-hang hang angle resulting from shaft bend 200. Golf club3000 in FIG. 3 comprises hang angle 3800 between its strikeface 1150 andhorizontal axis 900, where hang angle 3800 comprises a toe-down hangangle resulting from shaft bend 300.

In some examples, club head 1100 can comprise a blade-type putter head,such that toe-down hang angle 3800 (FIG. 3) can be defined to be greaterthan approximately 48 degrees, mid-hang hang angle 2800 (FIG. 2) can bedefined to be approximately 16 degrees to approximately 48 degrees,and/or face-balanced hang angle 1800 (FIG. 1) can be defined to be lessthan approximately 16 degrees.

There can be other examples, however, where club head 1100 comprisesanother style of club head. For instance, club head 1100 could insteadcomprise a mallet-type putter head, such that toe-down hang angle 3800(FIG. 3) can be defined to be greater than approximately 23 degrees,mid-hang hang angle 2800 (FIG. 2) can be defined to be approximately 7degrees to approximately 23 degrees, and/or face-balanced hang angle1800 (FIG. 1) can be defined to be less than approximately 7 degrees.

Blade-type putter heads and mallet-type putter heads have different hangangle ranges because they have different locations for their respectivecenters of gravity. For example, the center of gravity for mallet-typeputter heads lies further back from the strikeface than the center ofgravity for blade-type putter heads. By increasing distance of thecenter of gravity from the strikeface, the range of achievable hangangles decreases, and smaller hang angle changes have greater effect onclub head rotation or delivery.

The embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 can be selected to correspond to specificgolf swing styles in some implementations. When fitting an individualfor a golf club, one or more golf swings of the individual can bemeasured to determine, for example, the swing rotation of the strikeface of the club head about the golf club shaft. Such swing rotation orother measured swing characteristics can be used to establish a measuredswing style of the individual, which can be classified as a straightstroke swing style, a slight arc swing style, and/or a strong arc swingstyle, in some implementations. In some examples, the straight strokeswing style can comprise a swing rotation of approximately zero degreesto approximately 3.5 degrees, the slight arc swing style can comprise aswing rotation of approximately 3.5 degrees to approximately 7.5degrees, and/or the strong arc swing style comprises a swing rotationgreater than approximately 7.5 degrees.

Based on such analysis, a golf club can be chosen or adjusted for theindividual by selecting or adjusting the corresponding shaft bend of thegolf club. For example, shaft bend 100 of golf club 1000 can beconfigured to impart to golf club 1000 swing characteristics, such asface-balanced hang angle 1800, suitable for or corresponding to astraight stroke swing style for the individual being fitted. Similarly,shaft bend 200 of golf club 2000 can be configured to impart to golfclub 2000 swing characteristics, such as mid-hang hang angle 2800,suitable for or corresponding to a slight arc swing style for theindividual being fitted. In addition, shaft bend 300 of golf club 1000can be configured to impart to golf club 3000 swing characteristics,such as face-balanced hang angle 3800, suitable for or corresponding toa strong arc swing style for the individual being fitted.

In the present embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, shafts 1200 are configurable toaccept and retain their corresponding shaft bends 100, 200, or 300 upondeformation or bending. For example, shafts 1200 may start off beingsubstantially equal to each other, upon manufacture, lacking any ofshaft bends 100, 200, or 300, and then may be modified by deformation orbending to achieve the desired shaft bend 100, 200, or 300. In the sameor other examples, such deformation or bending can be applied to theshafts at the fitting locale where the individual is fitted, or at anadjustment location upon receipt of an order for a specific shaft bendafter the individual's swing style is measured or otherwise known.Shafts 1200 may be deformed or bent to achieve the desired shaft bend100, 200, or 300, whether prior to or after being coupled to club head1100. The ability to rely on a common golf club head and a common shaftmodifiable to achieve golf clubs fitting different performance or swingstyle requirements can facilitate or simplify manufacturing and/orinventory management for both manufacturers and retailers. There canalso be examples where shafts 1200 may be manufactured by the factory tocomprise shaft bends 100, 200, or 300, if desired.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of golf club 1000 with shaft bend 100positioned to divide shaft 1200 into shaft upper portion 1210 and shaftlower portion 1220, where shaft upper portion 1210 comprises a shaftgrip end of shaft 1200, and shaft lower portion 1220 comprises a shafthosel end of shaft 1200. Shaft upper portion 1210 comprises shaft axis4211 extending through a longitudinal centerline thereof, where shaftaxis 4211 can be geometrically subdivided into corresponding horizontaland vertical components, such as vertical component 42111. FIG. 5illustrates a front view of golf club 2000 with shaft bend 200positioned to divide shaft 1200 located between shaft upper portion 2210(having a shaft grip end) and shaft lower portion 2220 (having a shafthosel end). FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of golf club 3000 with shaftbend 300 positioned to divide shaft 1200 between shaft upper portion3210 (having a shaft grip end) and shaft lower portion 3220 (having ashaft hosel end).

As seen in FIGS. 4-6, club head 1100 comprises club head horizontalplane 4900 extending across heel portion 1160 and toe portion 1170 ofclub head 1100, and passing through strikeface centerpoint 4150 ofstrikeface 1150. In some examples, horizontal plane 4900 can besubstantially parallel to ground plane 4500 when golf club 1000 is at agolf address position, such as seen in FIGS. 4-6. In the same or otherexamples, horizontal plane 4900 can be substantially perpendicular tovertical component 42111 of shaft axis 4211, where vertical component42111 can be substantially perpendicular a top end of hosel 1110,substantially perpendicular to a top end of strikeface 1150, and/orsubstantially perpendicular to ground plane 4500 when golf club 1000 isat the address position in some implementations.

In some examples, strikeface centerpoint 4150 can be located at ageometric centerpoint of strikeface 1150, a geometric centerpoint of astrikeplate of strikeface 1150, and/or at a geometric centerpoint of thefront end of club head 1100. In the same or other examples, strikefacecenterpoint 4150 can be located in accordance with the definition of agolf governing body such as the United States Golf Association (USGA).For example, strikeface centerpoint 4150 can be determined in accordancewith Section 6.1 of the USGA's Procedure for Measuring the Flexibilityof a Golf Clubhead (USGA-TPX3004, Rev. 1.0.0, May 1, 2008) (available athttp://www.usga.org/equipment/testing/protocols/Procedure-For-Measuring-The-Flexibility-Of-A-Golf-Club-Head/).

As seen in FIGS. 4-6, shaft bend 100 defines shaft bend angle 401 forgolf club 1000 (FIG. 4), shaft bend 200 defines shaft bend angle 501 forgolf club 2000 (FIG. 5), and shaft bend 300 defines shaft bend angle 601for golf club 3000 (FIG. 6), where shaft bend angles 401 (FIG. 4), 501(FIG. 5) and 601 (FIG. 6) are substantially equal to each other in golfclubs 1000 (FIGS. 1, 4) 2000 (FIGS. 2,5) and 3000 (FIGS. 3, 6). In someexamples, shaft bend angles 401, 501, and/or 601 can be approximately146 degrees to approximately 174 degrees.

Shaft bends 100 (FIG. 4), 200 (FIG. 5), and 300 (FIG. 6) differ fromeach other, however, with respect to their respective heights relativeto club head horizontal plane 4900. For example, golf club 1000 cancomprise shaft bend 100 located at shaft bend height 4100 above clubhead horizontal plane 4900 (FIG. 4), where shaft bend height 4100 can begreater than approximately 95 mm above club head horizontal plane 4900in some implementations. Golf club 2000 can comprise shaft bend 200located at shaft bend height 5200 above club head horizontal plane 4900(FIG. 5), where shaft bend height 5200 can be approximately 70 mm toapproximately 100 mm above club head horizontal plane 4900 in someimplementations. Golf club 3000 can comprise shaft bend 300 located atshaft bend height 6300 above club head horizontal plane 4900 (FIG. 6),where shaft bend height 6300 can be less than approximately 85 mm aboveclub head horizontal plane 4900 in some implementations. Shaft bendheight 4100 (FIG. 4) is greater than shaft bend height 5200 (FIG. 5),and shaft bend height 5200 is greater than shaft bend height 6300 (FIG.6). In some examples, shaft bend height 4100 (FIG. 4) may be referred toas a high bend height; shaft bend height 5200 (FIG. 5) may be referredto as a medium bend height; and shaft bend height 6300 (FIG. 6) may bereferred to as a low bend height. In the present examples, shaft bendheight 4100 (FIG. 4), shaft bend height 5200 (FIG. 5), and shaft bendheight 6300 (FIG. 6) is measured with respect to the shaft bend closestto the shaft grip end of the shaft, regardless of any further bend(s)towards the hosel end of the shaft. In the same or other examples, golfclub shaft 1200 for each of golf club 1000 (FIGS. 1, 4), golf club 2000(FIGS. 2, 3), and/or golf club 3000 (FIGS. 3, 6) can comply with Section2a of Appendix II of the USGA Rules of Golf (available athttp://www.usga.org/uploadedFiles/USGAHome/rules/CompleteROGbook.pdf),which requires that “The shaft must be straight from the top of the gripto a point not more than 5 inches (127 mm) above the sole, measured fromthe point where the shaft ceases to be straight along the axis of thebent part of the shaft and the neck and/or socket.”

In the same or other examples, the high bend height of shaft bend height4100 for shaft bend 100 can be configured to impart face-balanced hangangle 1800 (FIG. 1) to golf club 1000, such as in situations where themeasured swing style of the individual is the straight stroke swingstyle. Similarly, the medium bend height of shaft bend height 5200 forshaft bend 200 can be configured to impart mid-hang angle 2800 (FIG. 2)to golf club 2000, such as in situations where the measured swing styleof the individual is the slight arc swing style. In addition, the lowbend height of shaft bend height 6300 for shaft bend 300 can beconfigured to impart toe-down hang angle 3800 (FIG. 3) to golf club3000, such as in situations where the measured swing style of theindividual is the strong arc swing style.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, shaft upper portion 1210 of golf club 1000comprises shaft axis 4211 extending through a longitudinal centerline ofshaft upper portion 1210, and continues straight past shaft bend 100 tointersect club head horizontal plane 4900 at intersection distance 4215away from strikeface centerpoint 4150 of strikeface 1150. Similarly, ascan be seen in FIG. 5, shaft upper portion 2210 of golf club 2000comprises shaft axis 5211 extending through a longitudinal centerline ofshaft upper portion 2210, and continues straight past shaft bend 200 tointersect club head horizontal plane 4900 at intersection distance 5215away from strikeface centerpoint 4150 of strikeface 1150. In addition,as can be seen in FIG. 6, shaft upper portion 3210 of golf club 3000comprises shaft axis 6211 extending through a longitudinal centerline ofshaft upper portion 3210, and continues straight past shaft bend 300 tointersect club head horizontal plane 4900 at intersection distance 6215away from strikeface centerpoint 4150 of strikeface 1150. In someexamples, shaft axes 4211 (FIG. 4), 5211 (FIG. 5), and 6211 (FIG. 6) maybe respectively referred to as the “effective” shaft axes of golf clubs1000, 2000, and 3000, because such golf clubs may substantially performas if their respective shafts are, in effect, attached to the top of theclub head 1100 proximate to respective intersection distances 4215 (FIG.4), 5215 (FIG. 5), or 6215 (FIG. 6) from strikeface centerpoint 4150,rather than attached to the location of hosel 1110.

In the present examples, intersection distance 6215 in golf club 3000(FIG. 6) is greater than intersection distance 5215 in golf club 2000(FIG. 2), and intersection distance 5215 in golf club 2000 (FIG. 2) isgreater than intersection distance 4215 in golf club 1000 (FIG. 1),where such differences between intersection distances 4215, 5215, and6215 are respectively dictated by shaft bend heights 4100, 5200, and6300 of shaft bends 100 (FIG. 4), 200 (FIG. 5), and 300 (FIG. 6).Intersection distance 4215 (FIG. 4) can be less than approximately 1.8mm in some implementations. Intersection distance 5215 (FIG. 5) can beapproximately 1.8 mm to approximately 16.5 mm in some implementations.Intersection distance 6215 (FIG. 6) can be greater than approximately16.5 mm in some implementations.

Considering the above, the shaft bend height can be used to adjust theintersection distance of the effective shaft axes relative to thestrikeface centerpoint of the club head, such as to achieve a desiredhang angle range and/or to suit a desired swing style. For example,intersection distance 5215 (FIG. 5) places shaft axis 5211, relative tostrikeface centerpoint 4150, at a location suitable for imparting amid-hang hang angle (such as hang angle 2800 (FIG. 2)) onto golf club2000, and/or suitable for configuring golf club 2000 for a slight arcswing style. In contrast, intersection distance 4215 (FIG. 4) placesshaft axis 4211 relatively closer to strikeface centerpoint 4150, and isthus suitable for imparting a face-balanced hang angle (such as hangangle 1800 (FIG. 1)) onto golf club 1000, and/or suitable forconfiguring golf club 1000 for a straight stroke swing style. For itspart, intersection distance 6215 (FIG. 6) places shaft axis 6211relatively farther away from strikeface centerpoint 4150, and is thussuitable for imparting a toe-down hang angle (such as hang angle 3800(FIG. 3)) onto golf club 3000, and/or suitable for configuring golf club3000 for a strong arc swing style.

In some implementations, the shaft bend height can be used to set oradjust the shaft intersection distance, relative to the strikefacecenterpoint, to establish desired intersection ratios of the shaftintersection distances relative to a club head length of the club head.In such implementations, the club head length can be measured betweenopposite heel and toe ends of the club head. For instance, as seen inFIGS. 4-6, club head 1100 comprises club head length 4140 betweenopposite heel and toe ends thereof.

Thus, with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 4, golf club 1000 comprisesan intersection ratio of intersection distance 4215 over club headlength 4140, where such intersection ratio can be of less thanapproximately 0.05 in some examples, where such intersection ratio canestablish a face-balanced hang angle (such as hang angle 1800 (FIG. 1))onto golf club 1000, and/or where such intersection ratio can configuregolf club 1000 for a straight stroke swing style. With respect to theembodiment of FIG. 5, golf club 2000 comprises an intersection ratio ofintersection distance 5215 over club head length 4140, where suchintersection ratio can be between approximately 0.05 to approximately0.155 in some examples, where such intersection ratio can establish amid-hang hang angle (such as hang angle 2800 (FIG. 2)) onto golf club2000, and/or where such intersection ratio can configure golf club 2000for a slight arc swing style. With respect to the embodiment of FIG. 6,golf club 3000 comprises an intersection ratio of intersection distance6215 over club head length 4140, where such intersection ratio can begreater than approximately 0.155 in some examples, where suchintersection ratio can establish a toe-down hang angle (such as hangangle 3800 (FIG. 3)) onto golf club 3000, and/or where such intersectionratio can configure golf club 3000 for a strong arc swing style.

FIG. 7 illustrates a heelside view of golf club 1000, with shaft bendheight 4100 of shaft bend 100 positioning shaft axis 4211 at offsetdistance 7216 relative to strikeface 1150. FIG. 8 illustrates a heelsideview of golf club 2000, with shaft bend height 5200 of shaft bend 200positioning shaft axis 5211 at offset distance 8216 relative tostrikeface 1150. FIG. 9 illustrates a heelside view of golf club 3000,with shaft bend height 6300 of shaft bend 300 positioning shaft axis6211 at offset distance 9216 relative to strikeface 1150.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7-9, the different shaft bend heights of shaftbends 100, 200, and 300 impart different offset distances 7216, 8216,and 9216 for club heads 1000, 2000, and 3000, respectively. For thepresent examples of FIGS. 7-9, the taller the shaft bend height, thegreater the offset distance between the effective shaft axis and thestrikeface. Thus, different offsets can be achieved using the same golfclub head and the same golf club shaft by imparting the appropriate theshaft bend height. For instance, offset distance 9216 between shaft axis6211 and strikeface 1150 in golf club 3000 (FIG. 9) can be selected, viashaft bend height 6300 of shaft bend 300, to establish a toe-down hangangle (such as hang angle 3800 (FIG. 3)) onto golf club 3000, and/or toconfigure golf club 3000 for a strong arc swing style. Similarly, offsetdistance 8216 between shaft axis 5211 and strikeface 1150 in golf club2000 (FIG. 8) can be selected, via shaft bend height 5200 of shaft bend200, to be greater than offset distance 9216 and/or to establish amid-hang hang angle (such as hang angle 2800 (FIG. 2)) onto golf club2000, and/or to configure golf club 2000 for a slight arc swing style.In addition, offset distance 7216 between shaft axis 4211 and strikeface1150 in golf club 1000 (FIG. 7) can be selected, via shaft bend height4100 of shaft bend 100, to be greater than offset distance 8216 and/orto establish a face-balanced hang angle (such as hang angle 1800 (FIG.1)) onto golf club 1000, and/or to configure golf club 1000 for astraight stroke swing style. The offset distances 7216, 8216, and 9216can be defined relative to a positive offset direction that isperpendicular to strikeface centerpoint 4150 and points forward of golfclub head 1100.

In the present examples of FIGS. 1-9, the angles of the shaft lowerportions relative to club head horizontal plane 4900 are set by hosel1110 and are substantially the same for each of golf club heads 1000(FIGS. 1, 4, 7), 2000 (FIGS. 2, 5, 8), and 3000 (FIGS. 3, 6, 9). In someimplementations, shaft lower portions 1220 (FIGS. 1, 4, 7), 2220 (FIGS.2, 5, 8), and 3220 (FIGS. 3, 6, 9) can comprise shaft-to-strikefaceangle 7222 (FIG. 7) of approximately 70 degrees to approximately 100degrees, and shaft-to-heel angle 4221 (FIG. 4) of approximately 105degrees to approximately 75 degrees. In the same or other examples,shaft-to-strikeface angle 7222 can be approximately 82 degrees, andshaft-to-heel angle 4221 (FIG. 4) can be approximately 88 degrees.Although shaft-to-strikeface angle 7222 (FIG. 7) and shaft-to-heel angle4221 (FIG. 4) are illustrated in the figures as acute angles relative toclub head horizontal plane 4900, there may be embodiments where one orboth of shaft-to-strikeface angle 7222 and shaft-to-heel angle 4221 arenot acute angles.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method 10000, which can be used toprovide, form, and/or manufacture a golf club in accordance with thepresent disclosure. In some examples, the golf club of method 10000 canbe similar to any one of golf club 1000 (FIGS. 1, 4, 7), golf club 2000(FIGS. 2, 5, 8) or golf club 3000 (FIGS. 3, 6, 9).

Method 10000 comprises block 10100 for providing a shaft configured toaccept a shaft bend and to be coupled to a hosel of a golf club head ofthe golf club. In some examples, the golf club head can be similar togolf club head 1100 (FIGS. 1-9), and the shaft can be similar to shaft1200 (FIGS. 1-9) of golf club 1000 (FIGS. 1, 4, 7), golf club 2000(FIGS. 2, 5, 8), or golf club 3000 (FIGS. 3, 6, 9). In the same or otherexamples, the shaft can be coupled to the golf club head via a hoselsimilar to hosel 1110 (FIGS. 1-9), whether such hosel is fully internalor at least partially external the golf club head. Likewise, in the sameor other examples, depending on the type of implementation being sought,the shaft bend can be similar to any one of shaft bend 100 (FIGS. 1, 4,7), shaft bend 200 (FIGS. 2, 5, 8), or shaft bend 300 (FIGS. 3, 6, 9).

Method 10000 also comprises block 10200 for imparting the shaft bend ata target shaft bend height along the shaft length of the shaft. In someexamples, the target shaft bend height may be similar to one of shaftbend height 4100 (FIGS. 4, 7), shaft bend height 5200 (FIGS. 5, 8), orshaft bend height 6300 (FIGS. 3, 6, 9).

In some examples, block 10200 of method 10000 comprises sub-block 10210for configuring the golf club, via the shaft bend, for a target swingstyle comprising one of a straight stroke swing style, a slight arcswing style, or a strong arc swing style. For instance, the shaft bendmay be defined within a range of shaft bend heights, and/or within arange of shaft bend angles, configured to establish one or more swingcharacteristics for the golf club to complement a measured swing styleof an individual being fitted, whether the measured swing stylecomprises the straight stroke swing style, the slight arc swing style,or the strong arc swing style described above with respect to FIGS. 1-9.There can be examples where the target swing characteristics of the golfclub can be defined by setting the shaft bend height, while relying onthe same shaft bend angle for all shaft bend height options. In oneexample, the shaft bend may configure the golf club for the straightstroke swing style when its shaft bend height is similar to the highshaft bend height described above with respect to shaft bend height 4100(FIGS. 4, 7). In another example, the shaft bend may configure the golfclub for the slight arc swing style when its shaft bend height issimilar to the medium shaft bend height described above with respect toshaft bend height 5200 (FIGS. 5, 8). In another example, the shaft bendmay configure the golf club for the strong arc swing style when itsshaft bend height is similar to the low shaft bend height describedabove with respect to shaft bend height 6300 (FIGS. 6, 9).

In the same or other examples, block 10200 of method 10000 also cancomprise sub-block 10220 for configuring the shaft, via the shaft bend,to impart a target hang angle for the golf club. In someimplementations, the target hang angle may be similar to hang angle 1800(FIG. 1), hang angle 2800 (FIG. 2), or hang angle 3800 (FIG. 3). In thesame or other implementations, the target hang angle can comprise one ofa face-balanced hang angle, a mid-hang hang angle, or a toe-down hangangle as described above with respect to golf club 1000 (FIGS. 1, 4, 7),golf club 2000 (FIGS. 2, 5, 8) or golf club 3000 (FIGS. 3, 6, 9).

Imparting the shaft bend onto the shaft in block 10200 can also beaccomplished by establishing a desired intersection distance between astrikeface centerpoint of a strikeface of the golf club head and anintersection point where an effective shaft axis of the shaft intersectsa club head horizontal plane. In some examples, the strikefacecenterpoint can be similar to strikeface centerpoint 4150 of strikeface1150 (FIGS. 4-9), the effective shaft axis can be similar to shaft axis4211 (FIGS. 4, 7), shaft axis 5211 (FIGS. 5, 8), or shaft axis 6211(FIGS. 6, 9). The intersection distance can be similar to intersectiondistance 4215 (FIG. 4), 5215 (FIG. 5), or 6215 (FIG. 6). For example, ifthe target swing style of block 10200 comprises the straight strokeswing style, the shaft bend can be imparted such that the effectiveshaft axis intersects the club head horizontal plane at an intersectiondistance similar to intersection distance 4215 (FIG. 4). As anotherexample, if the target swing style of block 10200 comprises the slightarc swing style, the shaft bend can be imparted such that the effectiveshaft axis intersects the club head horizontal plane at an intersectiondistance similar to intersection distance 5215 (FIG. 5). As yet anotherexample, if the target swing style of block 10200 comprises the strongarc swing style, the shaft bend can be imparted such that the effectiveshaft axis intersects the club head horizontal plane at an intersectiondistance similar to intersection distance 6215 (FIG. 6).

After block 10200, method 10000 can further comprise block 10300 forcoupling the shaft to the hosel of the golf club head. As an example,the result of the coupling can be similar to what is shown in FIGS. 1-9.

In some examples, one or more of the different blocks of method 10000can be combined into a single block or performed simultaneously, and/orthe sequence of such blocks can be changed. For example, in someimplementations, sub-blocks 10210 and 10220 may be combined if desired.In the same or other implementations, block 10300 can precede block10200. There also can be examples where some of the blocks of method10000 can be subdivided into several sub-blocks. As an example, block10200 may further comprise a sub-block for configuring the golf club,via the shaft bend, to comprise an intersection distance similar to oneof intersection distances 4215 (FIG. 4), 5215 (FIG. 5), or 6215 (FIG. 6)based on the target swing style and/or the target hang angle. As anotherexample, block 10200 may further comprise a sub-block for configuringthe golf club, via the shaft bend, to comprise an intersection ratio asdescribed above with respect to the examples of FIGS. 4-6 and based onthe target swing style or the target hang angle. As an example, block10200 may further comprise a sub-block for configuring the golf club,via the shaft bend, to comprise an offset distance similar to one ofoffset distances 7216 (FIG. 7), 8216 (FIG. 8), or 9216 (FIG. 9) based onthe target swing style or the target hang angle.

There can also be examples where method 10000 can comprise further ordifferent blocks. As an example, method 10000 may comprise another blockfor measuring a swing style of an individual being fitted, and/or forimparting the shaft bend of block 10200 based on the swing style of theindividual being fitted. In addition, there may be examples where method10000 can comprise only part of the steps described above. For instance,block 10300 may be optional in some implementations. Other variationscan be implemented for method 10000 without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

Although the customizable hang angle golf clubs, systems, and relatedmethods herein have been described with reference to specificembodiments, various changes may be made without departing from thespirit or scope of the present disclosure. As an example, golf clubshaft 1200 can be provided with a telescoping mechanism to permit theshaft bend of the golf club to be adjustable between shaft bend height4100 (FIGS. 4, 7), shaft bend height 5200 (FIGS. 5, 8), or shaft bendheight 6300 (FIGS. 6, 9). In addition, although some implementations ofshaft bends 100 (FIGS. 1, 4, 7), 200 (FIGS. 2, 5, 8), or 300 (FIGS. 3,6, 9) have been described above as comprising the same shaft bend angle,there can be embodiments where the shaft bend angles of shaft bends 100,200, and 300 may differ from one another.

Additional examples of such changes and others have been given in theforegoing description. Other permutations of the different embodimentshaving one or more of the features of the various figures are likewisecontemplated. Accordingly, the specification, claims, and drawingsherein are intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure isnot intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of thisapplication shall be limited only to the extent required by the appendedclaims.

The customizable hang angle golf clubs, systems, and related methodsdiscussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and theforegoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does notnecessarily represent a complete description of all possibleembodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and thedrawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and maydisclose alternative embodiments.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to theembodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacementof one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and notrepair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions toproblems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unlesssuch benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are expressly statedin such claims.

As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulationsmay be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golfstandard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United StatesGolf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews(R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, andarticles of manufacture described herein may be conforming ornon-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly,golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/orsold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus,methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited inthis regard.

While the above examples may be described in connection with aputter-type golf club, the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golfclub such as a driver-type golf club, a fairway wood-type golf club, ahybrid-type golf club, an iron-type golf club, or a wedge-type golfclub. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacturedescribed herein may be applicable other type of sports equipment suchas a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf club comprising: a club head; a shaftcoupled to the club head, comprising: a shaft bend disposed along aunitary portion of the shaft at a specially configured shaft bend heightabove the club head with the shaft bend dividing the shaft into a shaftlower portion and shaft upper portion, the specially configured shaftbend height configured for a strong arc swing style; wherein a shaftaxis extends through a longitudinal centerline of the shaft upperportion and a horizontal plane of the club head extends through a strikeface centerpoint of the club head with the shaft axis intersecting thehorizontal plane at an intersection distance away from the strike facecenterpoint such that a center of gravity of the golf club is moved awayfrom the strike face centerpoint by nature of the intersection distance,the intersection distance defined by the specially configured shaft bendheight and specially configured for the strong arc swing style; andwherein the shaft bend disposed along the unitary portion of the shaftis configured to impart a toe-down hang angle to the golf club, thetoe-down hang angle specially configured for the strong arc swing style.2. The golf club of claim 1, wherein: the specially configured shaftbend height comprises a low bend height such that the shaft bend isdisposed along the unitary portion of the shaft at less than 85 mm abovea horizontal plane of the club head, the low bend height specificallyconfigured for the strong arc swing style.
 3. The golf club of claim 1,wherein: the shaft bend comprises a shaft bend angle comprising a rangeof 146 degrees to 174 degrees.
 4. The golf club of claim 1, wherein: thetoe-down hang angle is greater than or equal to 48 degrees.
 5. The golfclub of claim 1, wherein: the strong arc swing style is associated witha swing rotation of an individual swinging the golf club comprising astrong arc swing rotation of 7.5 or more degrees.
 6. The golf club ofclaim 1, wherein: a ratio of the intersection distance to a length ofthe club head comprises greater than 0.155.
 7. The golf club of claim 1,wherein: the shaft bend creates an offset distance between the shaftaxis and the strike face centerpoint of the club head.
 8. A golf clubcomprising: a club head; a shaft coupled to the club head, comprising: ashaft bend disposed along a unitary portion of the shaft at a speciallyconfigured shaft bend height above the club head with the shaft benddividing the shaft into a shaft lower portion and shaft upper portion,the specially configured shaft bend height configured for a slight arcswing style; wherein a shaft axis extends through a longitudinalcenterline of the shaft upper portion and a horizontal plane of the clubhead extends through a strike face centerpoint of the club head with theshaft axis intersecting the horizontal plane at an intersection distanceaway from the strike face centerpoint such that a center of gravity ofthe golf club is moved away from the strike face centerpoint by natureof the intersection distance, the intersection distance defined by thespecially configured shaft bend height and specially configured for theslight arc swing style; and wherein the shaft bend disposed along theunitary portion of the shaft is configured to impart a mid-hang hangangle to the golf club, the mid-hang hang angle specially configured forthe slight arc swing style.
 9. The golf club of claim 8, wherein: thespecially configured shaft bend height comprises a medium bend heightsuch that the shaft bend is disposed along the unitary portion of theshaft at 70 mm to 85 mm above a horizontal plane of the club head, themedium bend height specifically configured for the slight arc swingstyle.
 10. The golf club of claim 8, wherein: the shaft bend comprises ashaft bend angle comprising a range of 146 degrees to 174 degrees. 11.The golf club of claim 8, wherein: the mid-hang hang angle comprises 16to 48 degrees.
 12. The golf club of claim 8, wherein: the slight arcswing style is associated with a swing rotation of an individualswinging the golf club comprising a slight arc swing rotation ofapproximately 3.5 degrees to 7.5 degrees.
 13. The golf club of claim 8,wherein: a ratio of the intersection distance to a length of the clubhead comprises 0.05 to 0.155.
 14. The golf club of claim 8, wherein: theshaft bend creates an offset distance between the shaft axis and thestrike face centerpoint of the club head.
 15. A golf club comprising: aclub head; a shaft coupled to the club head, comprising: a shaft benddisposed along a unitary portion of the shaft at a specially configuredshaft bend height above the club head with the shaft bend dividing theshaft into a shaft lower portion and shaft upper portion, the speciallyconfigured shaft bend height configured for a straight stroke swingstyle; wherein a shaft axis extends through a longitudinal centerline ofthe shaft upper portion and a horizontal plane of the club head extendsthrough a strike face centerpoint of the club head with the shaft axisintersecting the horizontal plane at an intersection distance away fromthe strike face centerpoint such that a center of gravity of the golfclub is moved away from the strike face centerpoint by nature of theintersection distance, the intersection distance defined by thespecially configured shaft bend height and specially configured for thestraight stroke swing style; and wherein the shaft bend disposed alongthe unitary portion of the shaft is configured to impart a face-balancedhang angle to the golf club, the face-balanced hang angle speciallyconfigured for the straight stroke swing style.
 16. The golf club ofclaim 15, wherein: the specially configured shaft bend height comprisesa high bend height such that the shaft bend is disposed along theunitary portion of the shaft at greater than 95 mm above a horizontalplane of the club head, the high bend height specifically configured forthe straight stroke swing style.
 17. The golf club of claim 15, wherein:the face-balanced hang angle comprises less than 16 degrees.
 18. Thegolf club of claim 15, wherein: the straight stroke swing style isassociated with a swing rotation of an individual swinging the golf clubcomprising a straight stroke swing rotation of approximately 0 degreesto 3.5 degrees.
 19. The golf club of claim 15, wherein: a ratio of theintersection distance to a length of the club head comprises less than0.05.